BUMPASS, Va. – In chilly spring conditions marked by cold, wind, and rain, the Gallaudet University triathlon team showed grit and determination at the Rumpus in Bumpass Sprint Triathlon here Saturday coming up just short against Warren Wilson College in a hard-fought race.

The air was cold, the skies gray, and the water a frigid 61 degrees, prompting all athletes to wear wetsuits for the first time. The swim segment became a test of mental toughness as waves came from all directions. The bike leg rolled through the scenic but hilly terrain of Bumpass, Va., while the run turned into a muddy trail challenge after morning rain left puddles and slick terrain throughout the course. Despite near-slips, every Bison crossed the finish line.

Senior Kathe Wilken-Yoder (Ovideo, Fla.) led the Gallaudet squad with a standout performance, finishing first overall in the collegiate race with a time of 1:29:53. She also placed third overall in the swim, demonstrating her strength in tough open water conditions.

Wilken-Yoder was followed by Ashley Corcoran (Broussard, La.) at 1:52:57 and Sam Michaelson (Southwick, Mass.), who completed her first full race of the season in 2:05:00 despite racing with a defective chip that prevented her splits from being recorded. Her persistence and finish were key to Gallaudet's team scoring.

Warren Wilson's scorers were Natalie Helser (1:32:54), Ellery Rather (1:36:32), and Lola Hewitt (1:56:15). Hewitt made a splash early, beating Wilken-Yoder in the swim by nearly a minute, and the Owls' overall consistency gave them the narrow win with 11 team points to Gallaudet's 10.

Outside of the collegiate race in a separate co-ed relay division, Head Coach Brian Bennett teamed up with senior Danielle Fisher (Pittsburgh, Pa.) for a crowd-favorite performance. Bennett completed the swim and bike (14:38 and 37:43), and Fisher powered through the run in 24:23. The pair finished in 1:20:48, earning first place in the co-ed relay division.

Though the Bison came up just one point short in the team race, this spirited out-of-season effort was a powerful way to end the academic year, with athletes rising to the occasion in challenging conditions and racing alongside their coach.

With a strong performance and momentum on their side, some Gallaudet triathletes look ahead to commencement in May, and others are ready to start training for future races with pride and determination.